911 squeaks past Chevrolet Corvette Z06 for top overall rating in group;
Monthly group is most expensive ever purchased for testing by CR

YONKERS, NY — In Consumer Reports’ first-ever tests of
ultra-performance and luxury sports cars, the Porsche 911 edged past the
Corvette Z06 to become the top-rated vehicle with an
“Excellent” overall score.

The 911 was tested against two other ultra-performance cars, the Z06 and
the V10-powered Dodge Viper, for the October issue of Consumer Reports. The
Z06 also earned an “Excellent” score while the Viper posted a
“Very Good” score.

This is the most expensive monthly test group ever purchased by Consumer
Reports, costing in excess of $650,000. Consumers Union, the publisher of
Consumer Reports, accepts no outside advertising, no free test samples, and
has no agenda other than the interests of the consumer.

“The 911 wowed us enough with its acceleration, handling, and
braking for us to rate it our top sports car,” said David Champion,
senior director of Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center. “The 911
is also easy to drive, but its much less expensive Boxster sibling
performed almost as well.” Here are some highlights from this
month’s test group:

• The Viper SRT is the fastest car ever tested by Consumer
Reports, with a 0-60 time of 4.2 seconds.

• The 911’s brakes rank among the best ever tested by CR. It
tied with the Viper for the shortest dry stops in this group, stopping from
60 mph in just 113 feet.

• The 911 posted the highest speed on record through CR’s
emergency avoidance maneuver, at 59.5 mph.

• The SL550 is the single most expensive car Consumer Reports has
ever tested, with a base price of $94,800. As tested, the car carried a
Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $105,855.

Full tests and ratings of the sports car group appear in the October
issue of Consumer Reports, which goes on sale Tuesday, September 5. The
complete report is also available to subscribers of www.ConsumerReports.org.

Featuring a special section on autos, the October issue also includes a
story on new and notable vehicles for 2007 and 2008, a special report on
ethanol, ratings of popularly-sized auto batteries, and an auto-test extra
report on the Mercedes-Benz CLS500.

Consumer Reports can only recommend the Lexus SC430 from this group of
vehicles. CR is unable to recommend any of the other vehicles in this
month’s tests because it does not have sufficient reliability
information on most of them. (Relatively few of these high-end models are
sold each year.) The magazine only recommends vehicles that have performed
well in its tests, have at least average predicted reliability based on
CR’s Annual Car Reliability Survey of its own subscribers, and
performed at least adequately if crash-tested or included in a government
rollover test.

The distinctive 911 is the epitome of agility and refinement in sports
cars, yet it is relatively practical. The 911 Carrera S ($87,520
Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price as tested) is powered by a
355-hp, 3.8-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine that delivers
excellent acceleration and a respectable 20 mpg on premium gasoline. Its
six-speed manual transmission is easy to shift and has close ratios for
responsive performance. Handling is the 911’s forte. The steering is
very precise with excellent feedback. The brakes rank among the best CR has
ever tested.

The Z06 Corvette was very impressive with awesome acceleration and
stable, well-balanced handling. At the track, it holds its own against the
Porsche 911 and Dodge Viper, though handling is less precise than the 911.
The Z06 ($76,730 MSRP as tested), is equipped with a great-sounding,
505-hp, 7.0-liter V8 engine that gives it effortless acceleration at any
time. It comes with a six-speed manual transmission that helps provide
blazing acceleration or quiet, economical cruising. The brakes are
impressive and powerful.

In the luxury car category, the Mercedes SL nicely blends sportiness and
luxury. It is comfortable and luxurious, but feels almost as fast and agile
as some ultra-performance sports cars. The SL550 ($105,855 MSRP as tested)
is propelled by a 382-hp, 5.5-liter V8 engine that delivers impressive
acceleration—and a muted but muscular hum from the tailpipe. The new
7-speed automatic transmission is very good. But it occasionally delays
downshifts or bumps abruptly into gear. Brakes bring very short stops in
both wet and dry conditions.

Consumer Reports is one of the most trusted sources for information and
advice on consumer products and services. It conducts the most
comprehensive auto-test program of any U.S. publication or Website; the
magazine’s auto experts have decades of experience in driving,
testing, and reporting on cars. To subscribe to Consumer Reports, call
1-800-234-1645. Information and articles from the magazine can be accessed
online at www.ConsumerReports.org.

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